Member of Parliament for Wrexham

As part of the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing fund, the UK Government announced that four UK life sciences companies will receive £277 million to help fund and advance manufacturing projects in medical diagnostics and human medicines. One of those companies being Wrexhambased Ipsen Pharmaceuticals.

As a result of a multi-million pound investment from the UK Government, and private sector funding, Ipsen is now able to manufacture its innovative medicines to treat difficult to treat neurological diseases. This funding will expand their workforce in Wrexham by creating 39 new jobs in the Wrexham facility.

Last month, it was great to visit the DeafBlind support group. It was particularly insightful to hear about the challenges those who are deaf and blind face in Wrexham, including dangerous pedestrian crossings, inconsiderate parking on pavements and how we can raise awareness of the DeafBlind community overall. I will be writing to Wrexham Council's Disability Champion to see what more can be done to improve disability access across Wrexham.

In the Spring Budget, the Chancellor initiated childcare reforms for families in England, expanding 30 hours of free childcare over the age of nine months. This removes the main barrier preventing from going back to work. Policy relating to childcare is devolved in Wales, this means that it is up to Welsh Government to provide financial support with childcare costs in Wales.

Despite the Welsh Government being allocated £180m in the Spring Budget, Ministers in Cardiff have so far refused to follow the UK Government and extend free childcare in Wales.

Hardworking families in Wrexham deserve to have the same access to this support. As such, I have written to the Welsh Government to outline these concerns and will be raising this in the House of Commons.

Having visited Spire Yale Hospital last year, I was delighted to return last week to see their newly opened Outpatient and Diagnostic Centre. This is a multi-million pound investment into Wrexham and allows treatment of up to 20% more patients per year, and has enabled their workforce to grow from 150 to 180. This centre also now houses state-of-the-art MRI, X-ray and ultrasound facilities, all improving patient care and outcomes.

With payment plans available, this private service is far more accessible. Whilst I absolutely appreciate that private healthcare is not an option for everyone, I continue to hear that constituents are going private after spending years on NHS waiting lists due to the Welsh Government’s mismanagement of healthcare in Wales.

If you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency boundary and need my assistance with any issues, please contact me by emailing: sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk